Mujigae 2000, the first KQCF ever, kicked off with a forum on topics such as “What Is Homosexuality?” and “What Are Homosexuals’ Human Rights?” in the auditorium of the College of Liberal Arts at Yonsei University.

In addition, “A Conversation with Gay Teenagers” and “A Dialogue among Gay People from Different Generations” were held on 9/8 and 9/9, respectively. Guest musicians such as the lesbian samul-nori troupe Baramsory, samul-nori troupe of the Seoul chapter of the national Korean Teachers’ Union, singer Monandol, and indie group Wounded Fly performed to congratulate the birth of a queer festival in Korea, drawing excited crowed. In addition, Two Women, a lesbian play, was staged.

The street parade was held on 9/9 in Daehangno, which was also hosting the 3rd Indie Festival. Despite torrential rain, some fifty queers bravely affirmed and displayed their identity in broad daylight―a day to be remembered for ages.

Based on experiences from the previous year, the KQCF was more confident about the feasibility of a queer cultural festival in Korea and was able, in 2001, to diversify its program.

Throughout the festival, international queer film and festival posters as well as posters about AIDS prevention and infectees’ rights from around the world were exhibited outdoors. Some 100 viewers flocked to see The Macho Hunters, a queer movie created by Hee-il Lee Song, the first openly gay film director in Korea. In addition, Korean queers living in Australia and the United States spoke about their lives at the forum, which was held on 9/15. As for the street parade, a crowd of over 500 gathered in the athletic field at Hongik University on 9/15 and soon hit the streets, grabbing the attention of onlookers. The closing party, which followed, was a success as well.

Into its third year, the KQCF really began to take shape as a full-fledged cultural festival in 2002. During 6/5-6/11, three exhibitions were held at Gwanghwamun Gallery, right in the heart of the nation’s capital. Kimpo Kim’s “Rainbow Korea” queerly parodied advertisements and media images from everyday life. On the other hand, Raymond Hahn’s “Hey, the Water Is Good!” photographically captured the language of body and desire as expressed in clandestine gay baths. “Positive Lives: Beyond Prejudice and Discrimination” provided a glimpse into the lives and rights of HIV infectees.

The film festival, held at Ilju Art House during 6/4-6/6, screened feature and short films including Sajaseongeo [aka Yellow Flower and Four Sex Stories; Far Infrared (Ji-sang Lee, Korea), The Macho Hunters (Hee-il Lee Song, Korea), Let’s Do It (Jeong-gu Kim, Korea), and Body (Sang-Gon Yoo, Korea)], The Power of Sperm (Gyeong-jin Choe, Korea), The Tampon Manual (Sae-ron Seong, Korea), The Next Best Thing (John Schlesinger, USA), and Plata quemada [aka Burnt Money] (Marcelo Pineyro, Argentina/France/Spain/Uruguay).

At the forum, held on 6/7 under the title “Human Rights and Sexual Orientation in International Law,” law professor Douglas Sanders (University of British Columbia) left a deep impression on the some fifty Korean queer activists as well as the audience present.

The street parade was held on 6/8 in Itaewon, one of the favorite destinations of tourists and a district known for its large foreign population. Not only the some 700 participants but also bystanders showed support for this festive event.

The closing party, held after the parade, lasted well into the night.

Into its fourth year, the KQCF saw significant growth in both quantity and quality in 2003. Various events were not only held throughout Seoul but also better than ever, attracting more audience members and participants than in previous years.

Titled “International HIV/AIDS Poster Exhibition: With or Without HIV/AIDS,” the art exhibition was held during 6/23-6/29 in the Chungmuro subway station and Art Cube theater. In addition, the forum, held at Korea University on 6/20, commemorated and explored the meaning of the Stonewall Uprising to Korean queers. Attended by some 150 audience members and participants, it was a success indeed.

Held at Ilju Art House Art Cube during 6/27-6/29, the film festival boasted a wider selection than in the past. The movies screened included Ife (H. Len Keller, USA), Maya (Catherine Benedek, USA), Things We Said Today (John Miller-Monzon, USA), A Certain Grace (Sandra Nettlebeck, USA), Tampon Thieves (Jorge Lozano, Canada/Colombia), Chrissy (Jacqui North, Australia), and Salut Victor [aka Good-bye, Victor] (Anne Claire Poirier, Canada).

As for the street parade, it was held on 6/21 in Jongno, one of the busiest districts in the traditional center of the nation’s capital―the significance of which was not lost on the some 500 participants who had gathered despite the scorching heat. The countless bystanders, amazed by an unprecedented event in downtown Seoul, stopped to watch, some clapping and others jeering. The parade thankfully ended without mishap, boosting the pride of all those who had taken part. The closing party, which followed, was equally popular, with some 400 participants.

The main topic of the KQCF in 2004 was gay marriage, a hot issue worldwide. Indeed, earlier this year, a gay couple had dared to hold a public wedding ceremony at a gay bar, complete with an officiator and friends, amidst reporters’ camera flashes and questions. This unprecedented event had received much press coverage as well as criticism. Reflecting such developments, the KQCF held a forum titled “Is Gay Marriage Possible in Korea?” on 6/25. Paneled by queer activists and legal experts, the forum attracted a large audience.

During 6/17-6/24, three queer artists held the “Body. Q” exhibition at Style Cube Zandari near Hongik University.

Under the title “Asian Queers: How Are They Living?” the film festival screened queer movies from around Asia. The selection covered some thirteen feature and short films including Goodbye, Dragon Inn (Ming-liang Tsai, Taiwan), Fei Yue Qing Hai [aka Love Me, If You Can (Alice Wang, Taiwan), Desire (Eung-Su Kim, Korea), The Camellia Project: Three Queer Stories at Bogil Island [Chu-ja Kim (Jin-sung Choi, Korea), The Drifting Island (Joon-moon So, Korea), and La Traviata (Hee-il Lee Song, Korea)], Stanley Beloved (Simon Chung, Hong Kong), My Father’s Song (Ji Sun Lee, Korea), Wonderful Day (Hyun-pil Kim, Korea), A Crimson Mark (Hyun-jin Park, Korea), and Military Tango (Jong Won Hwang, Korea).

The street parade was held on 6/19. Though torrential rain decreased the number of participants, it was nevertheless an exciting and liberating experience for the some 300 people who braved the weather. Moreover, Ae-ja Hyeon, a current member of the National Assembly (Democratic Labor Party), made a congratulatory speech. Likewise, many social activist and human rights organizations as well as the press and the media extended their congratulations or took part in the festival. The closing party was held at G-Spot, which is the largest queer club nationwide, located in Itaewon.